WiFi-enabled universal remote pulls codes from the web

You probably won't be seeing TVcompass's SR 1500 universal remote released looking exactly like this (or even bearing the TVcompass name) but we have high hopes some other company will rebrand the WiFi-enabled unit soon. Featuring a QVGA display,and Windows CE, the SR 1500 pulls device codes from the web using the built-in browser, which supports Flash and J2ME, backup settings to a server, and do custom guide displays. There's no pricing yet, but hopefully that'll get sorted when this thing gets picked up for resale.

[Via pocketpcwire]

[Shadowise @ Jan 30th 2008 3:41AM]

I was just thinking, "that's a smart idea... shame about the design". Let's wait for the rebrand.

[Johan S @ Jan 30th 2008 3:49AM]

Umm why are there so many buttons on the thing?

It should be touchscreen with a few OLED buttons. There should be less than 5 buttons total. Though 5 is pushing it.

And the GUI better be responsive.

[nick @ Jan 30th 2008 4:25AM]

Could be that some people don't like digging through menu systems to do basic things like play, or enter a channel number.

[thethirdmoose @ Jan 30th 2008 9:25AM]

And some people like to change the channel without looking down.

[daaper @ Jan 30th 2008 10:57AM]

Agreed, there are certain buttons that are common with almost every remote that I would want hard buttons for. I think Logitech has their universal remotes spot-on. Add wi-fi to those and it'd be a killer remote...as long as I choose when it connects and it's not constantly wasting my batteries.

[Joe T. @ Jan 30th 2008 12:06PM]

Enter channel numbers? With a touchscreen, you set up channel icons and let the remote remember the channel numbers.

[karts41 @ Jan 30th 2008 3:51AM]

Looks like a large mobile phone, or those new home landline phones that are going all technical.

[Johan S @ Jan 30th 2008 3:56AM]

We need progress on standards for remotes and tv's to interact .. so that content from the remote control's touchscreen such as number pads, menu stuff etc. can simultaneously appear on the HDTV screen. Of course the communication should be two way so the TV can talk back. That way third parties can innovate on remotes (make them easier to use - come up with advanced menus for flipping recent channels/favorites, choosing content based on thet etc) and HDTV manufacturers can work on getting us great pictures.

[RichardBronosky @ Jan 30th 2008 9:50AM]

You can get this experience with MythTV and a 5 year old WiFi PDA as a remote. Too bad the infestation of DRM into HD has made it a full time battle. This is great for microsoft who says, "here let us decrypt that for you."

[RichardBronosky @ Jan 30th 2008 9:58AM]

True innovation is now in the hands of individuals. I had my MythTV set up with a complex set of rules so that my widescreen TV never showed black bars on the side, or God forbid a black border on all 4 sides. I was in control of my TV watching experience, which of course makes me a criminal. But, my wife got tired of the battle after we had our daughter. Now when we watch Nip/Tuck which is broadcast in 4:3 cropped down to 16:9 on our 16:9 TV we have 3 inches of black border on the top and bottom and 5 inches of black border on the sides. Thank you Comcast for your wonderful piece of trash DVR!!

[OhMickey @ Jan 30th 2008 4:37AM]

but can it SKYPE?

[adam @ Jan 30th 2008 5:04AM]

Hrm.. I think I'll stick with my Harmony for now. A wifi radio on a remote...that's not gonna eat batteries or anything. Unless you're changing devices constantly (or just like carrying it around to mess with people) I see no need for this thing.

[Kai Chan Vong @ Jan 30th 2008 6:11AM]

Surely it's only a matter of time before Steve Wozniak pushes apple to do this is the most user friendly manner?

Esp. with the touch screen this would work wonders.

[FT @ Jan 30th 2008 6:40AM]

Doesn't it look like someone took a Motorola cell phone, then simply "stretched" it?

[Joe @ Jan 30th 2008 7:22AM]

Does it play snake?

[Bobs @ Jan 30th 2008 8:29AM]

I garuntee anyone that it wont have codes for my daewoo TV. Ive tried 5 or 6 remotes, none worked at all.

[Wayne Dunham @ Jan 30th 2008 11:56AM]

Great idea, HORRIBLE looking ergonomics for a remote.

THE most important features of a good remote........

1) There must be no NEED to look at the remote, you must be able to find/operate all the normal functions in the dark without looking at the remote. If I'm looking at the remote, I'm not looking at the Television hence wasting my time.

2) Button layout must be conducive to #1, i.e. you must be able to navigate the remote without looking at the remote. Keys should be layed out in groups with enough distinctiveness that you can find the keys you're looking for by feel alone. This means lots of hard keys and little to no flashy displays.

[CP @ Jan 30th 2008 9:43AM]

if it has CE embedded, i would hope that it supports sideshow

[flashing.twelve @ Jan 30th 2008 10:34AM]

Th A/R ARRU449 has licensed this technology...so, in fact it already has been re-branded

[David @ Jan 30th 2008 9:25PM]

What's so great about pulling codes from the web? How many codes are needed? 4 maybe? Probably less. How arduous to look up.

If your TV is a Norcent, all the code pulling won't help, because their universal codes are non-existent for some reason (my friend has one).

[David @ Jan 30th 2008 9:26PM]

What's so great about pulling codes from the web? How many codes are needed? 4 maybe? Probably less. How arduous to look up.

If your TV is a Norcent, all the code pulling won't help, because their universal codes are non-existent for some reason (my friend has one).

[RichardBronosky @ Jan 30th 2008 9:45AM]

Cool windows CE! Now your remote can crash and get viruses. If only microsoft could find a way to bring these enhancements to our automobiles. Oh wait! They have that too!

[Guzzie @ Jan 30th 2008 10:14AM]

Never heard that one before... *yawn*

[Rick @ Jan 30th 2008 7:30PM]

Had me interested until I read it has Windows for the OS.

[Loban @ Jan 30th 2008 4:11PM]

Ah yes, another unwarranted bash against Microsoft for no other reason than the fact that it's cool to hate Microsoft. There's nothing wrong with embedded Windows, it works just fine. The only reason full blown Windows is so crappy (and actually XP is very good now) is because it's capable of doing EVERYTHING and is so popular that it has to cater to EVERY SINGLE HARDWARE CONFIGURATION KNOWN TO MAN and still work. Embedded versions written for a specific hardware configuration work just fine though. You ever used an Xbox 360? It's OS is great. And it's because the 360 has a fixed, known hardware configuration.

[ClaMs @ Jan 30th 2008 11:11AM]

But can it turn off large display TVs during a presentation at an electronics fair?

[Gil @ Jan 30th 2008 11:49AM]

Now if only bluetooth could be added.

[Ipaq3115 @ Jan 30th 2008 2:32PM]

Windows CE??? Betcha it could play doom...

[Christian @ Jan 30th 2008 2:45PM]

I for one like complicated remote controls that has a way to make it simple if you know which button to press.

The only thing I've been really looking for though is a universal remote that can control the PS3 too.

[Christian @ Jan 30th 2008 2:45PM]

It kinda looks like a cellphone on its side profile, yet a remote in the front... weird...

[Joshua Walters @ Jan 30th 2008 6:44PM]

Meh, I can see someone in my family picking it up thinking it was there cell phone.

I would then have to spend 6hrs looking for the remote till they got home.